`A New Breeze is Blowing': Excerpts from Bush Inaugural Address

ByThe Associated PressJanuary 23, 1989

A NEW breeze is blowing, and a world refreshed by freedom seems reborn; for in man's heart, if not in fact, the day of the dictator is over.... We know what works: Freedom works. We know what's right: Freedom is right. We know how to secure a more just and prosperous life for man on earth: through free markets, free speech, free elections, and the exercise of free will ...

We must act on what we know. I take as my guide the hope of a saint in crucial things -- unity; in important things -- diversity, in all things, generosity....

My friends, we have work to do. There are the homeless, lost and roaming -- there are the children who have nothing, no love, no normalcy; there are those who cannot free themselves of enslavement to whatever addiction -- drugs, welfare, demoralization that rules the slums. There is crime to be conquered, the rough crime of the streets. There are young women to be helped who are about to become mothers of children they can't care for and might not love. They need our care, our guidance, and education; though we bless them for choosing life....

The American people await action. They didn't send us here to bicker. They ask us to rise above the merely partisan....

To the world, too, we offer new engagement and a renewed vow: We will stay strong to protect the peace....

While keeping our alliances and friendships around the world strong ... we will continue the new closeness with the Soviet Union, consistent both with our security and with progress.... Our new relationship in part reflects the triumph of hope and strength over experience. But hope is good. And so is strength. And vigilance....